Kazakhstan’s Jupiter Jet takes delivery of first Boeing 757-200

Photo: Kanat Kopbayev

Kazakhstani privately held airline Jupiter Jet has taken delivery of its first Boeing 757-200PCF freighter, company owner Kanat Kopbaev announced at the Astana Finance Days conference. The aircraft arrived from the United States at Turkistan International Airport in southern Kazakhstan on September 4.

According to public aviation databases, the 24-year-old aircraft (MSN 32389) was previously operated as a passenger airliner by American Airlines until 2020. It is powered by Rolls-Royce RB211 engines.

In Kazakhstan, a similar Boeing 757-200PCF freighter is operated by Alpha Sky. Additionally, SCAT Airlines operates three passenger 757-200s for charter flights under its Sunday Airlines subsidiary brand.

Kazakh media outlet Kursiv quoted Kopbaev as saying that the airline aims to capitalize on transit air cargo traffic through Kazakhstan. While Jupiter Jet hopes to acquire up to 10 aircraft, expansion plans are currently hindered by national import restrictions prohibiting cargo aircraft older than 25 years. Should these restrictions be lifted, the carrier could import the full fleet as early as next year, the businessman noted.

It was revealed in April that Kopbaev had acquired an 87% stake in Jupiter Jet. The remaining equity is held by founder Erikzhan Kozbagarov, who serves as the airline’s CEO. Originally registered in 2004, the airline previously operated Soviet-era transport aircraft, including the An-12, An-74, and Il-76, according to its website. The carrier currently lists Turkistan Airport (HSA) as its home base.